As I walked, doing my best to ignore what felt like an unending field of spiky brambles, I contemplated the deaths of my friends. Realistically speaking, Niko's life could have ended when his party first raided my dungeon. Not only that, but he willingly gave his life for mine.
And Felix, well, if not for me he would still be wandering aimlessly in the dark abyss of other monsters waiting for their chance to fight. Not that any of that made their passing easier. Well, it kind of did. Call me twisted, and think but you want, but it was better than survivor's guilt.
Thankfully, the trip to the river was uneventful. I wasn't used to actually getting tired from trivial things like stomping through the forest, but by the time I burst onto the riverbed I was dead tired.
Heh.
I wanted to jump straight in, but first, precautions. "Shard, is the water safe?"
"If you mean to drink, then yes. If you mean presence of enemies... then also yes. Feel free."
"Was that... something not conceited? 'Atta boy!"
Shard didn't respond, so I cannon-balled into the river, which was pleasantly cool on my overheated body. The water soothed any scrapes and scratches I had, though those would probably heal soon anyway, and helped wash away the grime I collected from my short traipse through the woods.
Eventually though, I had to get out. I would have swam for longer, but my body said no. So, after drinking my fill, I crawled up onto the muddy bank and promptly fell asleep. I didn't even care that I was filthy all over again, such was the bliss of unconsciousness.
Chapter 4
I must have fallen asleep on the river bank, because it was pitch black before I realized it even happened. Shard hadn't seen any reason to wake me up, though, so I assumed I was safe for the time being.
I took a quick look at my minimap, only to find that part of it was blacked out. Apparently only the original surrounding area was uncovered, and I'd have to uncover the rest as I went. The basic details of the map were filled out by my line of sight, but added details appeared when I got closer to a location. Neat.
Next, I pulled up my Character Sheet.
Name- Donovan Hawthorne
Level- 1 (Experience to next Level- 0/50)
Health- 37/37 (2% regen every 10 seconds)
Stamina- 20/20 (1% regen every 10 seconds)
Mana- 24/24 (2% regen every 10 seconds)
Strength- 8
Endurance- 6
Dexterity- 5
Perception- 5
Intelligence- 7
Wisdom- 4
Luck- 5
Condition- Healthy, Nude (Intelligent creatures may be perturbed by your lack of clothing), Poorly Rested (You have slept in far from optimal conditions. Stamina regen is halved)
Humanity- 10/10 (10% regen per week. When Humanity reaches 3 points or lower, you will develop sociopathic and psychopathic tendencies. If Humanity is at 0 for a month or longer at a time, the effects are permanent and gradually worsen.)
Alignment- Neutral (Your actions to other sentient creatures and nature will affect your Alignment. Positive Alignment will generally endear you to civilians and other do-gooders. Negative Alignment will endear you to more unsavory characters. Neutrally Aligned beings do not care who they deal with.)
Inventory- None
Spells- None (Unknown entity detected)
Abilities- None (Unknown entity detected)
The configuration of the sheet was a little different than it used to be, but that was no problem. There seemed to be a lot more realism this time, which was odd, but my affiliation with Shard gave me a huge boost to my regenerative abilities. "Hey, Shard! This system is different than the last time, and I'm a hell of a lot weaker too. What gives?!"
"Ah, don't you worry. Your previous setup wasn't working at all, and my presence within you is like a power leech. I don't know what god brought you here, but giving you the power to envision yourself as in a game was fairly intelligent.
Anyway, it'll just get more complex as I get my hands on it. I'd like to keep it simple for you, but the effects will happen whether or not you can see them on the sheet. I am just going to make them more visible for you as time goes on."
Well that was comforting. "So, Shard old pal, where to next? I'm going to take a dip in the river quick, can you think of something while I'm busy?" I asked. After it responded in the affirmative, I jumped back into the river.
Now that I wasn't as scratched up and sweaty as I was earlier in the day, the coolness of the water was uncomfortable. Still, I was sick of being plastered with mud. I scrubbed myself as quickly as possible. Shard may have said the water was safe, but being back at Level 1 made me nervous.
When I was acceptably clean, I looked for a place to swim ashore. Nearby, maybe a few hundred feet downstream, was a rocky shoreline that would hurt like hell to walk on but would keep me cleanish.
The current did most of the work getting me there, and all I had to do was paddle a little bit to get me close enough. From there, it was an easy but painful matter to make my way on shore. The sharp rocks hurt like all hell, but they only did 1 or 2 points of damage total.
"Found anything Shard?" I asked. The only response I got was a blue pulsing dot that appeared on my mini map.
"That's great, but what are you leading me to?" I wasn't sure why Shard wasn't talking much, but it was getting to be kind of annoying.
"It will provide a good opportunity for you to learn your new abilities. I, a sentient artifact older than time itself, have trusted you with my well being. You may want to give me the benefit of the doubt here."
I sighed, still frustrated, but understood Shard's reasoning. "Alright, fine. Any chance you could magic up some clothes on the way there?" No response. "Whatever, ya big grump." I headed toward the blue marked area, which was southwest of my current position. It was also far enough away that it was just a blue border on the edge of my mini map. This was going to be one hell of a long night.
I followed the river for a while, keeping it to my left. Eventually my destination became too far to my right for it to make sense following it though, so I had to go plunge back into the woods.
◆◆◆
"There are three entities approaching from behind, and one from either side. They are slight creatures, goblins perhaps. But there are many, so be prepared to fight." It had been about two hours since I entered the woods, and I was still no closer to my destination.
I knew that I was going to have to fight again eventually, I was just thankful that it was only goblins threatening me.
I stopped, and turned around. "Come on out, I know you're there! I may be a naked man in a forest, but I still have ears!" The three goblins approaching from directly behind me revealed themselves instantly, most likely hoping that I would think that they were the only ones following me. I let the other two stay hidden, for now.
For a Level 1, five goblins at once just might be too much. If I could take out the two flanking me with enough ease though, the main group might reconsider their approach. As soon as I had the thought, a notification popped up on my character screen. I ignored it for now, instead focusing on the goblins.
"Tcht nullah! Tcht nullah!"
Oh yeah. I don't speak their language. I went back to ignoring them, pulling up the notification.
You have learned the skill Intimidation (Novice) Level 1! Intimidation measures your ability to frighten a sentient being into complying with your demands, or to scare off a hostile creature. This can be done several ways, including but not limited to; Cunning and trickery, Show of force and strength, and displays of dominance.
There weren't very many options on the Intimidation list yet, but I was sure that would change as I discovered more. I also got 23 Exp for discovering a new skill. "Where are those other two goblins at Shard?" All of the sudden there were two snot green outlines in my peripheral vision, the same color as the goblins' skin. The one to my left was about twenty feet away, but the one on my right was only about five. Shard's ov
erlay marked them both as Level 1.
The right one lunged first, leading with a spear. I took a step backward, letting the dangerous point sail right by me. As quickly as I could, which was nowhere nearly as fast as I would have liked, I grabbed the spear just below its head and tugged the goblin out from the underbrush.
As soon as it stumbled forward, I planted the heel of my foot into its head with a satisfying crunch. It crumpled to the ground in a heap, leaving its spear behind in my hands. A notification I had never gotten before popped up in the bottom of my vision.
(You critically kick Level 1 Goblin Runt for 17 damage!)
A health bar appeared just above the goblin's outline, that was empty except for a tiny red sliver. The same health bar appeared over the other goblins, only theirs were full and green.
With an inarticulate cry, the second hidden goblin charged. It was only a little taller than my waist, so I had a generous reach on it that I planned to use to my full advantage. I stabbed forward with the spear, which was barely the length of my arm, into the throat of the approaching goblin.
It dropped to the ground, dead, but the thing's momentum carried its spear an inch and a half into my stomach. Son of a bitch but that hurt!
(You stab a Level 1 Goblin Runt for 20 damage!)
(You kill a Level 1 Goblin Runt!)
(A Level 1 Goblin Runt stabs you for 13 damage!)
(You have earned 15 Exp for killing a Level 1 Goblin Runt!)
A quick thrust from my spear finished off the goblin whose face I nearly caved in with my foot.
(You stab a Level 1 Goblin Runt for 3 damage!)
(You kill a Level 1 Goblin Runt!)
(You have earned 15 Exp for killing a Level 1 Goblin Runt!)
(You have earned enough Exp to Level up!)
(Congratulations on reaching Level 2! You have 5 attribute points to spend!)
"Shard you're kind of giving me an overload of info here, but I love it!" Well, not all of it. I sure missed the 15 attribute points I got per level before I had Shard tagging along. The Exp needed per level was also way higher, making the requirements for Level 3 shoot up to 75 points.
I felt sick to my stomach as the spear wound in my stomach knitted itself together, pushing the sharp metal out. It wasn't painful per se, but it sure didn't feel good. I wasn't going to complain though.
I dropped 2 points into Strength and 3 points into Endurance, bringing them to 10 and 9 respectively. That brought my max Health up to 53.
"Do not forget the other goblins Donovan, it would be a shame to lose a host right after finding one."
As if to punctuate Shard's point, a primitive spear pierced my right thigh with a nasty, meaty thunk. I pulled the thing out to add to my collection, wincing at the pain.
(A Level 1 Goblin spears you for 10 damage!)
"You little bastard!" I had three spears and only two hands, so I threw one as best as I could back at them, missing horrendously.
I stalked toward the trio of goblins with a miniature spear in each hand. The two that still had spears rushed me, but the third one slunk off into the bushes somewhere. Probably to ambush me. I'm pretty sure he had a dagger.
I couldn't really fight with a spear in each hand, so when the two goblins got close enough for me to be confident in my throwing ability, I let loose. One of them fell backward, dead, and I didn't bother reading the notifications telling me so.
The second spear wielder turned to run, but another well placed throw pierced his back.
"Behind you!"
I swiveled around to face the goblin that had ran off into the woods. He was barely two feet away from me, and I didn't have time to block his first attack.
(A Level 1 Goblin Runt critically slices you for 18 damage!)
Ohh, fuck. That hurt. That hurt so fucking bad. I didn't look down at my mutilated groin, and I didn't care that my Health bar was down to less than 50%. I ignored the goblin's knife, which sliced into me once again, and grabbed the thing's head. Time for a dirt nap you son of a bitch.
(A Level 1 Goblin Runt critically slices you for 18 damage!)
(You knee a Level 1 Goblin Runt for 20 damage!)
(You kill a Level 1 Goblin Runt!)
(You earn 15 Exp for killing a Level 1 Goblin Runt!)
I let the goblin's dead body fall to the ground, feeling tears threaten to spill onto my face. I still didn't risk a look down to my privates. I didn't want to know what I would see if I looked.
(Due to the mental trauma of your wounds, you have lost 1 Humanity point!)
Thanks to my relatively fast healing, my reproductive system was back in working order in no time. That didn't mean I wasn't scarred mentally, but it was better than not having all my parts. I continued on toward the blue marker, glad that I had at least Leveled up and was on the brink of another.
Finally, the blue outline became a blue dot on my mini map that slowly got closer as I walked. My arrival at the point was rather anticlimactic if I'm being totally honest. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't this. I mean it was impressive sure, but not knock your socks off crazy.
I was still in the forest, but hills surrounded me on all sides. There was a 100 by 100 foot clearing with a strange divot at the bottom, perfectly round and perfectly square in the ring. Then, there was a few feet of forest before the ground started rising at a fairly steep angle for a few hundred feet until the hill was crested.
"Sit, quickly. In the ring."
I saw no reason not to listen to Shard, so I did what he said. The grass and dirt felt far from great as I sat down, reminding me once again that I had no clothing to speak of. And I was covered in blood, some of my own red, and some a nasty greyish from the goblins. "Okay, I'm sitting in the circle. What now?"
Shard didn't say anything, but multiple notifications dinged. I opened them with nervous excitement, wondering exactly what Shard could do for me.
Level 1 Shard of Creation- A sentient artifact from a lost age. By channeling mana through it, you can warp and fuse materials into something else entirely. At higher Levels, mana can be used to make something out of thin air. Mana usage depends on the amount, quality, and complexity of both materials and the end product.
Level 1 Miner's Sight- Ore veins, refined metals, and even coins will be highlighted in your vision for no extra mana cost. Higher Levels will highlight ore at further distances. Can be deactivated and reactivated at will.
Level 1 Smith's Sight- When physically forging an item, the location, power and frequency of your needed strikes will be highlighted for no extra mana cost. Can be deactivated and reactivated at will.
Level 1 Architect's Sight- When creating a wall, room, or entire building, the needed and most effective supports and basic directions will be displayed for no extra mana cost. Can be deactivated and reactivated at will.
Level 1 Hunter's Sight- Organic, sentient beings capable of nourishment or harm are highlighted for no extra mana cost. Can be deactivated and reactivated at will.
Level 1 Warrior's Sight- When in combat, soft and vulnerable locations will be highlighted on enemies and yourself for no extra mana cost. This can be used to cover your most vulnerable points, as well as target those of enemies. Can be deactivated and reactivated at will.
Lord of Creation Page 7